Thanks to everyone for their responses.

Deborajen ~ Yes, I definitely want to get something different/lighter for longer rides ~ however, I have to kind of prove myself to my hubby before he's gonna let me lay out more money for a bike than we've spent on quite a few of our cars

I'm definitely having fun looking and it can be a little confusing since I don't know a lot of the terminology. It seems some bikes would be right for me, but then I read in forums and it seems they maybe aren't. We have an awesome LBS in Wichita, so I will go in and talk to them over the coming months.

I'm hoping I can maybe get some cash for Christmas to fund a new bike.